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Colkegan Single Malt Whiskey
Distiller Score 91
On first sniff, you’d swear you were getting notes of brine and peat, but wow, this is something quite different. Those expecting overwhelming mesquite on the palate will be pleasantly surprised by its subtle integration and almost gentle mouthfeel. The finish is assertive and long. This is a must try for peaty Scotch lovers looking for something quite different, yet equally satisfying.
Reviewed by Paul Belbusti
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Jack Daniel's Single Barrel Coy Hill High Proof (2021 Special Release)
Distiller Score 96
The whiskey has a maple syrup/medium coffee color appearance. Moving on the nose (be gentle as it is high proof), you'll get some dill and other fresh green herbs along with tons of oak. Then as you taste (which at this proof is surprisingly not too difficult to do), you'll find cherry notes come through as well as the flavor of s'mores -- particularly the charred marshmallows. Adding a bit of water you'll get some cornbread with maple syrup come through as well as the classic Jack banana bread note. As for the spice level, it is seen throughout the whiskey, but isn't rough around the edges. A hearty whiskey with enough going on in the glass to keep you entertained.
Reviewed by Stephanie Moreno
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Blanton's Original Single Barrel
Distiller Score 89
Eventually, the initial nose of vanilla, caramel, and a hint of tobacco gives way to toffee, chocolate orange and leather on the tongue. The front of tongue burn and medium/long finish are accentuated by the thick and coating mouth-feel. The complexity of this bourbon lives up to not only its packaging but is a fitting tribute to a true bourbon purist. It's perfect as a gift or an addition to any home bar.
Reviewed by Rob Morton
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Westland Peated American Single Malt
Distiller Score 88
The aroma has sweet cookie notes, peat smoke, and winter baking spices along with sweet toasted barley notes. On the palate, the whiskey hits the tip of your tongue with sweetness and continues with coffee grounds, vanilla and dried fruits. The finish is spicy with cinnamon and you are left with smoke in your retro-nasal cavity as you exhale.
Reviewed by Stephanie Moreno
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Four Roses Single Barrel Bourbon
Distiller Score 90
The nose is full of cherries, pear, and chocolate along with some oak and toffee. The palate finds even more oak, darker fruits, and an additional hint of chocolate. The long, easy finish comes back to the cherries, sugars, and oak.
Reviewed by Rob Morton
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Van Winkle Special Reserve Lot "B" 12 Year
Distiller Score 89
Aromas of cinnamon, baking spices, apples, and syrup. The palate shows pitted fruits, citrus rind, dried herbs, and maple candy. Quick/moderate finish with burnt sugars, egg custard, and vanilla beans. Almost a creme brûlée, but stops just short.
Reviewed by Rob Morton
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Angel's Envy Rye Finished in Caribbean Rum Casks
Distiller Score 85
Nose is heavy vanilla and baking spice but you can most certainly smell the rye. Tastes almost like cinnamon toast crunch. Loads of baking spice and a nice sweet dried, dark fruit finish. A very unique rye.
Reviewed by Eric Abert
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Blanton's Gold Edition
Distiller Score 93
Right off the bat you get big oak, pencil shavings, tobacco, resin and sawdust. Woody Woodpecker would kill for this much wood so keep your eyes peeled for that feathered fowl. The nose develops into orchard fruits such as cherries. Vanilla, milk chocolate, honey, dried fruits and loads of pepper swirl in the mouth. Dry rye grass spices up the finish where these spices take forever to sizzle away.
Reviewed by Blair Phillips
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Booker's Bourbon Batch 2017-01 "Tommy's Batch"
Distiller Score 94
Smelling and tasting bourbon at this proof is difficult to get to suss out, but what you'll find pre-water/ice is the barrel char smoke and spice. Once you add water (personal preference leans towards cold water rather than an ice cube), you'll find beef jerky aromas with a touch of maple syrup. Your palate will find more spice than sweet and overall, more savory than previous batch releases. The finish is lengthy and rich with cinnamon, smoke, and leather.
Reviewed by Stephanie Moreno
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Elijah Craig Barrel Proof Bourbon Batch C919
Distiller Score 91
One of the better examples of balancing elegance and strength within Kentucky bourbon. Aromas of a great Thanksgiving spread - sweet potatoes, sage, stewed fruit, and pepper! And very nuanced for the proof as well. The palate is coating from front to back with pepper, caramel and char. With a little water, more melon and vanilla notes emerge.
Reviewed by Colin Howard
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Booker's Bourbon Batch 2016-04 "Bluegill Creek"
Distiller Score 92
The aroma at first sniff is prickly and full of char smoke. This is tamed slightly with water with the palate riding the savory/sweet divide with the sweet factor just coming ahead in the end. The bourbon is full of spicy sweetness which makes you want to take another sip. The cinnamon red hots come through in the end with a bitter end note and a puff of smoke.
Reviewed by Stephanie Moreno
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Larceny Barrel Proof Bourbon Batch A120
Distiller Score 85
Larceny's approachability is it's most endearing quality, but here the Barrel Proof expression comes out kicking. The nose is fairly nervy with wheat bread notes lifted up by apple and petrichor accents. The jolt is in the palate with lean, dry whiskey delivering a combination of dense fruit cake and molasses. The proof is aggressive, but reveals a more subtle texture with some water.
Reviewed by Colin Howard